This week’s message was delivered by Mike, a passionate teacher and voice of encouragement at The Gathering. In a sermon filled with conviction and vulnerability, Mike shared a vision for what it means to live at the “eagle level”—a spiritual plane where God’s perspective transforms our reality.
He opened with Isaiah 40:31, a familiar but powerful verse:
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.”
Mike challenged us to consider: What level are you living on? Ground level—where fear, comfort, and limitations dominate? Or eagle level—where the storms don’t stop you, but actually lift you higher?
The Perspective of the Eagle
Mike shared a vivid metaphor: something might seem huge and intimidating when viewed from below, but the higher you go, the smaller it looks. That’s the difference perspective makes. When we live close to God, problems that once seemed massive begin to shrink, and we see with clarity, peace, and purpose.
Eagles, Mike reminded us, don’t flap frantically through the wind like smaller birds. They spread their wings and rise on the thermals, soaring above the storm. Similarly, God is calling His people to stop flapping in panic and start trusting in His lift.
Biblical Eagles Who Went Higher
Mike walked us through four biblical figures who “went higher”:
- Moses climbed Mount Sinai to meet with God. While the people waited below, caught in fear and distraction, Moses was transformed by the glory of God. His climb symbolized a spiritual separation from the crowd so he could hear God’s voice and receive His Word.
- Abraham was invited by God to sacrifice his son on the mountain—a test not of cruelty, but of faith at a higher level. Abraham left his servants behind, saying, “The boy and I will go worship.” In that higher place, God provided a ram and revealed His deeper plan.
- David, betrayed by his own son Absalom, chose not to fight on ground level. Instead, he walked up the Mount of Olives—grieving, but seeking God. In crisis, David climbed higher, showing that true warriors don’t just fight with swords; they worship with surrender.
- Jesus, the ultimate Eagle, was transfigured on the mountain as He prayed. His divine nature was revealed in radiant light. With Him stood Moses and Elijah—two other “eagles” of Scripture. While the disciples below were sleeping or confused, Jesus was communing with the Father in glory.
Eagle-Level Living Requires Separation
Mike emphasized a hard but necessary truth: not everyone can go with you to the next level. Just like Abraham had to leave his servants behind, and Jesus left the crowds to pray alone, sometimes elevation requires separation. Even those closest to us—family, friends, or fellow believers—might not understand the call God has placed on our lives.
“Some people can walk with you, but they’re not ready to fly with you.”
– Mike
He shared that eagle-level people are often misunderstood. They may be accused of being “too intense” or “too radical,” but in reality, they are just hearing from a higher place. They don’t live by sight—they live by faith.
Personal Testimony: From Crash to Climb
Mike also shared his powerful testimony: a former fighter, bodybuilder, and martial arts expert, he once lived at ground level—full of pride, anger, and destruction. But God brought him to a place of brokenness and surrender. He lost everything and almost died—but in that crash, he found Christ. And through that encounter, he began to soar.
He spoke openly about physical challenges, including a recent diagnosis that would shake many. But instead of collapsing in fear, Mike stood firm in faith. Why? Because he had already learned to live at eagle level. No diagnosis, no storm, no rejection could shake his trust in God’s sovereignty.
God is Calling You Higher
Mike’s final call was clear: don’t stay at ground level. Don’t settle for a life dominated by comfort, fear, or people’s opinions. God is inviting His people to rise. To let go of the things and relationships holding them back. To leave behind old thinking, distractions, and excuses—and mount up.
He reminded us that eagles are not group birds—they soar alone, at high altitudes. And that’s okay. Following Jesus sometimes means walking alone, trusting in the unseen, and resting in the nest God has built just for you.
